as in bought
made beforehand in large numbers
she chose to have her computer designed to her specifications rather than buying an off-the-shelf machine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of off-the-shelf
In recent months, Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the Orion orbiter that will be the mothership for any lunar landing, has been mobilizing to put together a group of a dozen other industry players who would build a lunar lander from, essentially, off-the-shelf parts.
—
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Rather than grab an off-the-shelf solution, Apple combined the iPad's Bluetooth, Thread, and Wi-Fi radios onto a single chip.
—PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
The team proved that even off-the-shelf instruments could collect environmental data while the rover tumbled roughly across the terrain.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025
In contrast, off-the-shelf smartphone camera sensors are potentially hyperspectral in nature, meaning that each pixel is sensitive to far more spectral bands.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-the-shelf
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Rather than grab an off-the-shelf solution, Apple combined the iPad's Bluetooth, Thread, and Wi-Fi radios onto a single chip.
—PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
The team proved that even off-the-shelf instruments could collect environmental data while the rover tumbled roughly across the terrain.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025
In contrast, off-the-shelf smartphone camera sensors are potentially hyperspectral in nature, meaning that each pixel is sensitive to far more spectral bands.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-the-shelf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-the-shelf
Adjective
-
The chain said that refunds would be available to patrons who had pre-bought tickets.—
Patrick Frater,
Variety,
14 July 2022
-
Cineplex has also begun offering refunds to all customers that pre-bought tickets for upcoming film screenings.—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Jan. 2022
Adjective
-
The latest cuts are the third wave of reductions in administrative and other non-store jobs in 2025, following Kroger's back-to-back cuts in February and March.—
Alexander Coolidge,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The store cuts come months after Kroger announced two rounds of layoffs of an unspecified number of non-store workers this spring.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Off-the-shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-the-shelf. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share